50 Rock Wedding Songs, from the Aisle to the Last Dance

What are the best rock wedding songs?

"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton and "Faithfully" by Journey are the classic rock first dances, and "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Livin' on a Prayer" are the songs that fill the dance floor. For the ceremony, many couples walk down the aisle to a string quartet version of "Sweet Child O' Mine".

Rock songs to walk down the aisle

1. "In My Life", The Beatles: a gentle look back that suits the walk.
2. "Here Comes the Sun", The Beatles: bright and hopeful, a favorite for daytime weddings.
3. "Sweet Child O' Mine", Guns N' Roses: the famous riff sounds elegant on strings.
4. "November Rain", Guns N' Roses: its music video is built around a wedding.
5. "Something", The Beatles: George Harrison's love song.
6. "Iris", Goo Goo Dolls: a 90s favorite in an acoustic arrangement.
7. "Here Comes My Girl", Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: a rock pick for the bride's entrance.

Rock first dance songs

8. "Wonderful Tonight", Eric Clapton: the slow dance rock fans grew up with.
9. "Faithfully", Journey: about love that lasts through time apart.
10. "Open Arms", Journey: a classic 80s ballad.
11. "I Want to Know What Love Is", Foreigner: big, emotional and backed by a gospel choir.
12. "More Than Words", Extreme: an acoustic ballad from a hard rock band.
13. "Maybe I'm Amazed", Paul McCartney: written for Linda.
14. "You're My Best Friend", Queen: John Deacon wrote it for his wife.
15. "Lovesong", The Cure: Robert Smith wrote it as a wedding present.
16. "Wild Horses", The Rolling Stones: slow and soulful.
17. "Everlong" (acoustic), Foo Fighters: tender, for a couple of 90s rock fans.
18. "Never Tear Us Apart", INXS: a dramatic slow waltz.
19. "Make You Feel My Love", Bob Dylan: simple and devoted.

Power ballads for the first dance

20. "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing", Aerosmith: the biggest wedding power ballad.
21. "Thank You for Loving Me", Bon Jovi: a thank you to a partner.
22. "Heaven", Bryan Adams: an 80s slow dance classic.
23. "Can't Fight This Feeling", REO Speedwagon: for friends who became a couple.
24. "When I See You Smile", Bad English: a late 80s favorite.
25. "Nothing Else Matters", Metallica: the first dance for metal fans.

Rock party songs for the reception

26. "Don't Stop Believin'", Journey: the singalong every wedding needs.
27. "Livin' on a Prayer", Bon Jovi: the whole room sings the chorus.
28. "You Shook Me All Night Long", AC/DC: guaranteed to fill the floor.
29. "Mr. Brightside", The Killers: the millennial anthem.
30. "Twist and Shout", The Beatles: for every generation at once.
31. "Crazy Little Thing Called Love", Queen: rockabilly fun.
32. "Don't Stop Me Now", Queen: pure joy.
33. "I Love Rock 'n' Roll", Joan Jett and the Blackhearts: a fist-pumping classic.
34. "Pour Some Sugar on Me", Def Leppard: 80s hair metal at its best.
35. "Paradise by the Dashboard Light", Meat Loaf: the duet couples act out.
36. "Rock and Roll All Nite", KISS: the party song for rock fans.
37. "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen: everyone knows every part.

Rock songs for the wedding party entrance

38. "Thunderstruck", AC/DC: the chant builds the perfect entrance.
39. "Welcome to the Jungle", Guns N' Roses: for a wild bridal party.
40. "Eye of the Tiger", Survivor: the groomsmen favorite.
41. "The Final Countdown", Europe: an over-the-top grand entrance.

Rock songs for the parent dances

42. "Simple Man", Lynyrd Skynyrd: a mother's advice to her son, a favorite mother-son dance.
43. "Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy)", John Lennon: written for his son Sean.
44. "Forever Young", Rod Stewart: a parent's wishes for a grown child.
45. "Father and Daughter", Paul Simon: a gentle father-daughter dance.

Rock songs for the last dance and exit

46. "Hey Jude", The Beatles: a long singalong to end the night.
47. "Closing Time", Semisonic: the classic last call.
48. "All You Need Is Love", The Beatles: a joyful send-off.
49. "Born to Run", Bruce Springsteen: for a getaway car exit.
50. "Walking on Sunshine", Katrina and the Waves: bright and upbeat.

Indie and alternative picks

For an indie or alternative couple, "The Book of Love" by Peter Gabriel, "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes, "Such Great Heights" by The Postal Service and "Home" by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are popular ceremony and first dance choices. They feel personal without being cheesy.

Can you have rock music at a wedding ceremony?

Yes. The easiest way is an instrumental version: string quartets and pianists play arrangements of "Sweet Child O' Mine", "Wonderwall" and "Here Comes the Sun", and groups like the Vitamin String Quartet have recorded hundreds of rock covers. Check with your venue or officiant first, since some churches only allow hymns during the service. For more, see our processional songs and instrumental wedding songs.

How to plan a rock wedding playlist

The best rock wedding songs mix eras so every generation hears a song it knows: 60s Beatles and Motown for the grandparents, 80s power ballads and arena rock for the parents, 2000s rock for your friends. Save the heaviest songs for later in the night, use radio edits, and give your DJ a short do-not-play list. A rock first dance followed by "Don't Stop Believin'" is a reliable way to open the party.

Rock love songs for the slow dances

Between the party songs, plan two or three slow songs so couples get back on the floor. Our rock love songs list has more ballads to choose from, and our first dance songs cover every other style.

A rock song written about the two of you

For a rock-loving couple, a personalized song can tell the story of how you met, from the concert where it started to the proposal, with your names in the chorus. Play it as your first dance or as a surprise during the reception. See our rock song gift for a wedding guide for ideas.

How to create a wedding song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: rock, pop, country and more.
2. Add both your names.
3. Share three moments from your story together.
4. Review the lyrics and edit or regenerate them for free before any music is made.
5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $24.99, or $29.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Make your wedding sound like you: create a song and hear four previews for free.